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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-09-23, Page 19Bos offers new approach to illness Dominiau• Milburn signal -star staff Katrina Bos was 29 -years -old when she found a lump growing in her breast. She had had lumps before, but this one, she knew, was different. After watching her mother, grandmother, and sister lose the battle against breast cancer, Bos had, for a time, resigned herself to her fate— the disease was go- ing to kill her, and the medicines prescribed would be little more than a band-aid over a wound that required stitches. But after a chance encounter with an old friend whose knack for understanding and healing in- trigued her, Bos rewrote the path of her own battle with cancer, and in her version, she emerged as the winner. It's her personal story and in- sights that set the tone for her first book, What If You Could Skip The Cancer? "This was an important book for me to write," said Bos. "I come from a family where ev- eryone has died of breast cancer. When I found lumps 10 years ago, I had to go a different route, and I did." What Bos discovered, she says, is that there was more to cancer and illness than just ge- netics, eating and wellness hab- its. She said what counts is what goes on inside of us. "It's about our thoughts, be- liefs, ideals, and the inner strug- gles that we have that can lead to depression, isolation and all kinds of illness," Bos said. "My goal through this book is to give people hope that cancer is not in- evitable." "The fear of cancer is ram- pant," she added. "But, I don't think it has to be." Bos, a city girl at heart, has spent the last 16 years raising her family just north of Goder- ich, and along the way she says she has picked up each opportu- nity to learn more about herself through learning about others. She's no stranger to sharing her inner thoughts and inspirations through writing. For the past two years, Bos has been a contribut- ing columnist to the local news- paper, and has expanded her reach through her personal web site, www.katrinabos.ca. The book has garnered posi- tive response from readers who have been affected by cancer, as well as 'unexpected' praise from members of the medical com- munity. "It's a outside -of -the -box way of looking at things," she said. ",I was worried it was too far out- side the box, that I'd get flack from medical field, but so far, it's all been good. It really changes Photo by Dominique Milburn Katrina Bos' new book, What If You Could Skip The Cancer? is available at several local businesses, as well as online. how people look at things." But it's not just those sick with cancers that have been moved by the book. Bos said she has heard back from people caring for a sick family member, or people who are battling depression. "It's not even just cancer. It's people who are just unhappy in their life." she said. "It's a tool they can work with at home. They don't only need a coun- selor or drugs." Bos was even slightly sur- prised to find that even men were taking away a positive message from her writing, and added that some readers have said, thanks to her book, they have a better grasp and understanding on how to help people around them who are sick, or suffering. "It gives me confidence about the message," she said. "It's like taking some philosophy that seems so out there, but when you see it in your life, it works. It isn't just about cancer—It's not medical versus alternative. It's beyond that. It's what we can do besides whatever treatment you've chosen." Published by Nelson Publish- ing and Marketing in Michi- gan, the book has already been shipped to readers internation- ally, to places like Scotland, England, and even Dubai. What If You Could Skip The Cancer? is available locally at Finches s, Healthward Bound, and Signa- ture Yams in Goderich, as well as the Bayfield Bookstore and Carlow Mercantile. It's also available online through both the Chapters and Amazon books distribution web sites. For more, visit Bos at her web site, www.katrinabos.ca. Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - Page 19 Large Garden Mums 3 for $20°° Beautiful Fall Planters On Sale NOW! /0, 4.0. FALL SALE All perennials, shrubs and trees 300/° off GREYHAVEN gardens Located 500 yds. west of Londesborough on County Road 15 519-523-9781 4' ti RESTAURANT & TAVERN 350 Bayfield Road, Goderich -41 524-7711 J Gus Balkourus started his 1st Restaurant, known as ;Gus moved to the current location on Bayfield Rd Friday Sept. 25 is Customer Appreciation Day in the Keg Room Domestic beer $3.00 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm PLUS FREE MUNCHES Bringing you the Nostalgia of the 6O's & 70's Saturday, September 26th 9: OOp. m. to 1: 00a. m. • Pa Cline 4 4 MN* SEMI& Prime Rib; Chicken Breast, Dressed Pork Loin, Poached Salmon, Whitefish, Salad Bar, Dessert Table & Beverage ENJOY DINNER &ENTERTAINMENT FOR ONLY $35,35 taxes incl. $10 Cover Charge for Entertainment ONLY from 9:00 p.m. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!